[A case of hyperthyroidism combined with thyroid carcinoma]

A 33-year-old woman, with hyperthyroidism combined with thyroid carcinoma is presented. She was given antithyroid medication before the operation, and sub-total thyroidectomy was performed under local anesthesia. Her postoperative course was smooth. Histologically, the resected thyroid was shown to have two small nodular lesions of papillary carcinoma in the diffuse goiter. The current classification, statistics, diagnosis and therapy of this disease are discussed.

[Effects of beryllium chloride on cultured cells]

The effects of beryllium on cultured cells were investigated. Three cell-lines (HeLa-S3, Vero, HEL-R66) were used in these experiments and they were cultured in Eagle's MEM plus 5 or 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) containing beryllium in various concentrations. HeLa cells or Vero cells were able to grow in the medium with 10 micrograms Be/ml (1.1 mM). On the other hand, the growth of HEL cells were strongly inhibited, even when cultured in the medium with 1 microgram Be/ml (1.1 X 10(-1) mM) and the number of living cells showed markedly low level as compared to that of the control samples cultured in the medium without beryllium. The cytotoxic effects of beryllium on these cells, which were cultured for three days in the medium with beryllium, were observed. None of cytotoxic effects were found on HeLa cells cultured with 0.5 micrograms/ml (5.5 X 10(-2) mM) and on Vero cells cultured with 0.05 micrograms Be/ml (5.5 X 10(-3) mM), while HEL cells received cytotoxic effects even when cultured in the medium containing 0.05 micrograms Be/ml (5.5 X 10(-3) mM), and these effects on the cells appeared strong when cultured in the medium without FBS. It was revealed from these experiments that HEL cells are very sensitive in terms of toxic effects of beryllium. Therefore, there cells can be used for the toxicological study on low level concentrations of the metal.

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion elicited by D-glucose anomers in man

Acid outputs from the stomach were measured after venous administration of D-glucose and its optical anomers in men with insulin hypoglycemia. A significant decrease in gastric acid output was noted after the administration of 277 mM alpha-D-glucose, 277 mM optically equilibrated D-glucose consisting of 36% alpha-anomer and 64% beta-anomer, or 277 mM beta-D-glucose. The effect of beta-D-glucose was most potent in the three forms of D-glucose. NaCl solution, however, produced no appreciable change in the acid outputs. Our findings suggested that, in humans, beta-D-glucose in the blood may play an important role in the activation of glucose-sensitive mechanisms controlling vagally mediated secretion of gastric acid.

Fluorometric high-performance liquid chromatography of 9-aminophenanthrene-derivatized free fatty acids

The application of 9-aminophenanthrene (9-AP), a fluorescence-labeling reagent for free fatty acids (FFA), was examined. 9-AP dissolved in benzene was added to a benzene solution of FFA chlorides derived from FFA and oxalyl chloride. The mixture was allowed to react for 45 min at 70 degrees C. By the method, 9-AP-tagged FFA with a strong fluorescence was formed. The materials thus obtained have a lambda max at around 303 nm for excitation and 376 nm for emission. By using this derivatization method, recoveries were measured for seven kinds of FFA added to 0.5 ml of healthy human serum. Significant recoveries ranging from 96 to 107% (coefficient of variation 1.4-5.0%) were obtained for each FFA. The proposed method was clinically applied to the determination of FFA in 0.5 ml of healthy human serum, and almost satisfactory results were obtained. Detection limits of FFA by this derivatization method were 10 pmol for C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C18:2, and 15 pmol for C18:0 and C20:4. As a quantitative measurement of FFA, gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, which have been routinely used, were chosen for comparison with the present method.

Different effects of D-glucose anomers on enhanced motility of the stomach

The injection of alpha, beta, or equilibrated (alpha: 36%, beta: 64%) D-glucose solution into the cranial side of carotid artery decreased gastric pressure caused by insulin in rats with bilateral adrenalectomy. This effect was not reproduced after vagotomy at the cervical level. The effect of beta-D-glucose was more rapid and potent than that of alpha-D-glucose. The injection of isotonic NaCl solution, however, produced no change in pressure.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phenytoin and hydroxyphenytoin in human urine

Simple and rapid quantitative analysis utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography was performed to determine the concentration of the antiepileptic agent phenytoin, and its main metabolite hydroxyphenytoin, in human urine. For the purposes of simple and rapid determination, the commercially available Extrelut columns were used with diethyl ether and chloroform as extraction solvents. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed on a LiChrosorb RP-8 column, with a mobile phase of methanol-0.02% ammonium acetate (1:1). The internal standard was 5-(4-methylphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin. The method was applied to patients' urine, to examine the influence of concomitant drugs. Also, the results obtained using the commercially available enzymatic immunoassay method were compared with those from the present method, and it was concluded that a simple and rapid microanalysis is possible with a high extraction ratio.

[Studies on the cell-mediated immunity caused by beryllium compounds]

In order to examine the sensitizing ability of beryllium (Be), a footpad reaction test and a macrophage migration inhibition test were carried out using mice treated with beryllium compounds. The findings of the experiments are summarized as follows: 1) The footpad reaction test of the mice injected with BeCl2 once a week subcutaneously at their dorsal area showed the positive results after four injections. The macrophage migration inhibition test was also performed by an agarose plate method using peritoneal cells and spleen cells obtained from these mice. The ratio of the number of positive mice showed more than 50% after five injections when peritoneal cells were used and after six injections when spleen cells were used. 2) The footpad reaction test of mice injected with one of various Be-compounds six times once a week showed a cross positive reaction against these compounds, and the macrophage migration of these mice was inhibited by these Be-compounds, but not by other metals. 3) When mice were once injected with 7BeCl2, about a half dose of the injected metal was discharged from the body within 7 days after the injection, and about a half dose of the residual metal was still found in the injected site. Further investigations may be required to solve the point that the persistent remaining of this metal in situ may raise the Be sensitizing ability.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of free fatty acids with 1-naphthylamine

A 1% benzene solution of oxalyl chloride was added to saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and the mixture was allowed to react at 70 degrees C for 30 min; by this procedure, each fatty acid was converted into its acid chloride in a considerably quantitative manner. By reacting this acid chloride with 1-naphthylamine at 30 degrees C for 15 min, naphtylamine derivatives were produced, which showed strong ultraviolet absorption around 280-290 nm. Experiments were made on the recovery of the fatty acids added to 0.5 ml of human serum, and the recovery was found to fall in the range of 94-106% (coefficient of variation = 0.5-4.1%) when the following amounts of six fatty acids were added: C14:0, 2 micrograms; C16:0, 20 micrograms; C16:1, 5 micrograms; C18:0, 4 micrograms; C18:1, 20 micrograms; C18:2, 10 micrograms.

Central role of angiotensin in the hyperosmolality- and hypovolaemia-induced vasopressin release in conscious rats

To evaluate a central role of angiotensin in vasopressin (ADH) release in response to hyperosmolality or hypovolaemia, we examined in conscious rats the effects of intraperitoneal (ip) injections of 2 ml/100 g body weight of hypertonic saline or polyethylene glycol (PEG; 250 mg/ml of 145 mM NaCl) on plasma ADH and angiotensin II (AII) levels and of intracerebroventricular (icv) administrations of Sar1-Ala8-AII (a competitive receptor blocker for AII) on the plasma ADH responses to the ip injections. Thirty min after ip injections of 900 mM NaCl, plasma ADH, osmolality and sodium increased with unchanged plasma AII and with reduced haematocrit. Two h after ip administrations of PEG, plasma ADH, AII and haematocrit were augmented with unaltered plasma osmolality and sodium. The responses of plasma ADH to ip injections of 900 mM NaCl and PEG were significantly inhibited (P less than 0.05) by 1 microgram of Sar1-Ala8-AII injected icv 5 min before blood samplings which had no appreciable effect on plasma osmolality, electrolytes and haematocrit. Based on these results, we concluded that angiotensin may participate in both the hyperosmolality- and hypovolaemia-induced ADH secretion by acting on the central nervous system.

Cefotaxime toxicity studies: a review of preclinical studies and some clinical reports

Toxicologic studies indicate that cefotaxime is well tolerated by animals. It is difficult to demonstrate acute toxicity. Subacute and chronic effects include local reactions at the site of injection, some hematologic changes with enlargement of the spleen, cecal enlargement in rats and mice, and slight changes in kidney tubules. Special studies indicate that the potential for nephrotoxicity in animals is minimal, and limited clinical reports show no nephrotoxicity in humans. In animals cefotaxime is well tolerated when combined with furosemide, gentamicin, lidocaine, or probenecid. Intrathecal or suboccipital injections of cefotaxime produce convulsions. At concentrations studied cefotaxime was not mutagenic, and no effects on fertility or teratology were observed in animals.

Alterations in gastric acid secretion following hepatic portal injections of D-glucose and its anomers

Changes in acid outputs from the stomach were examined after portal injections of D-glucose and its optical anomers in the bilaterally adrenalectomized rats with insulin hypoglycaemia. Significant decrease in gastric acid outputs was noted after portal injections of alpha-D-glucose, optically equilibrated D-glucose (OEDG) consisting of 36% alpha-anomer and 64% beta-anomer and beta-D-glucose. The effect of beta-D-glucose was most potent in reducing the acid outputs and the inhibitory response was entirely prevented by prior vagotomy at the hepatic level. The injections of isotonic NaCl solution, however, produced no change in the acid outputs. Results suggest that changes in glucose levels in the portal vein may modulate gastric acid secretion through hepatic vagal afferents and gastric vagal efferents and suggest that activation of hepatic glucosensitive mechanisms may be dependent on the anomeric stereospecificity of D-glucose in the blood.

Effect of nephrectomy on angiotensin II concentrations in plasma and hypothalamus of the dehydrated rat

Bilateral nephrectomy in the rats deprived of water for 46 h markedly reduced plasma angiotensin II concentrations (P less than 0.001), but it was without effect on extremely low levels of the hormone in the hypothalamic tissue. These results may suggest that the activity of a possible intrinsic brain renin-angiotensin system is not influenced by that of the kidney-plasma renin-angiotensin system.

Turnover rate of blood glucose in diabetic KK mice

Metabolic rate constants for blood glucose turnover were estimated based on the decay of [U-14C, 6-3H]glucose injected intravenously in genetically diabetic KK mice. Comparison was made with the rate constants similarly obtained with non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic ICR mice. Recycling of blood glucose via the Cori cycle, as estimated from the difference in the decay rate between 14C and 3H, was more active in KK mice than in non-diabetic and diabetic ICR mice. The Cori cycle activity was reduced by beta-adrenergic blockade in KK mice and was enhanced by alpha-blockade in ICR mice. It is concluded that predominance of beta-adrenergic functions in KK mice is responsible for activation of the Cori cycle as one of the mechanisms for metabolic resistance to endogenous insulin.

Adrenergic mechanisms in the hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia of diabetic KK mice

Simultaneous occurrence of hyperglycaemia (up to 300 mg/100 ml) and hyperinsulinaemia (up to 1200 mu U/ml) was evident in the fed state in genetically diabetic KK mice, indicating insulin resistance. The hyperinsulinaemia was enhanced by alpha-adrenergic blockade and alleviated by B-blockade. Epinephrine-induced hyperglycaemia and isoproterenol-induced hyperinsulinaemia, both of which could be blocked by beta-adrenergic antagonists, were more marked in KK mice than in ICR mice. A possible significance of adrenergic mechanisms is discussed with respect to the aetiology of the metabolic disturbances characteristic of KK mice.

Effects of intraventricular injection of Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II on plasma vasopressin level increased by angiotensin II and by water deprivation in conscious rats

The effects of intraventricular injection of Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II (A specific antagonist of angiotensin II) on the plasma vasopressin level increased by intraventricular injection of angiotensin II and by water deprivation (46 h) were examined in conscious male rats with an indwelling cannula in the third cerebral ventricle. Blood samplings were made by decapitation and the plasma level of vasopressin was determined by radioimmunoassay. Twenty-five, 50 or 100 ng of angiotensin II produced significant (P less than 0.05) increase in plasma vasopressin level 90 sec after the injection. The effect of 50 ng of angiotensin II was inhibited significantly (P less than 0.05) at least with 100 ng of Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II given 2 min before the injection of angiotensin II. The dehydrated rats to which 1000 ng of Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II was given 5 min before the decapitation showed the significantly (P less than 0.05) lower median plasma vasopressin level than that of the dehydrated controls. No significant difference in plasma osmolality was noted between them. These results suggest that the plasma vasopressin response to intraventricular angiotensin II is produced via angiotensin II receptors in the brain and that Sar1-Ala8-angiotensin II inhibits the effect of endogenous angiotensin II on plasma vasopressin level under dehydration.

Effects of vagal stimulation, vagotomy and adrenalectomy on release of insulin in the rat

To evaluate the physiological role of the vagus nerve in the secretion of insulin in the rat, changes in plasma levels of insulin and sugar were examined after vagotomy with and without adrenalectomy. Male rats, fasted for 22 h, weighing about 300 g and anaesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium were used. Thirty minutes after unilateral or bilateral adrenalectomy, the first blood sample was taken just before pancreatic vagotomy and a second sample was taken 15 min after vagotomy. Pancreatic vagotomy significantly decreased levels of plasma insulin in bilaterally adrenalectomized rats. It was also confirmed that electrical stimulation of the pancreatic vagus nerve provoked an increase in levels of insulin associated with a reduction of carbohydrates in the blood. These observations support the theory that there is a vagal mechanism which modulates the secretion of insulin and suggest that the vagal mechanism is a potent factor although such a mechanism may be masked by the activity of the adrenal gland.

[A comparison between the effects of angiotensin II and angiotensin III injected into the third cerebral ventricle on vasopressin secretion in conscious rats (author's transl)]

As the greater part of the immunoreactive angiotensin II in cerebrospinal fluid has been suggested to be angiotensin III, a comparison was made between the effects on vasopressin release of angiotensin II and angiotensin III administered into the third cerebral ventricle in conscious male rats. The blood samples were collected 90 seconds after the injection of angiotensin II or angiotensin III by means of decapitation. Plasma vasopressin (microU/ml) extracted and determined by radioimmunoassay were 2.3 +/- 0.8, 6.7 +/- 5.0, 14.0 +/- 2.2, 16.3 +/- 4.3 and 20.7 +/- 2.5 (mean +/- SEM), respectively following the injection of 0, 10, 25, 50 and 100ng of angiotensin II. The increases in plasma vasopressin produced by angiotensin II 25, 50 and 100ng were statistically significant (p less than 0.05). On the other hand, plasma vasopressin following the injection of 22.7 and 45.4ng of angiotensin III, which are equimolar to 25 and 50ng of angiotensin II each, were 14.9 +/- 2.7 and 16.3 +/- 5.6, respectively. No significant difference was found between the effect on plasma vasopressin of angiotensin II and that of angiotensin III at the dose level of 24.3 or 48.6 p. mol. These data indicate that angiotensin III is equipotent to angiotensin II in terms of vasopressin release when administered into the third cerebral ventricle. The possible role of angiotensin III in the brain on vasopressin secretion is discussed.

[Establishment of a colony of Japanese white rabbits free from coccidia and their breeding performance (author's transl)]

A colony of rabbits free from coccidia was established in 1974 by weaning young at 25 days of age from dams infected with coccidia. Until now Bordetella, Pasteurella and Psoroptes cuniculi have not been detected either, and neither diarrhea nor death has occurred in weanlings of the colony. However, the mortality of sucklings was significantly high owing to cannibalism and tread by their dams. The weaning rate was effectively improved by use of a large nursing cage (3,100 cm2) and sterilized hay on a stainless steel mesh floor of the nursing cage.

Uptake of uranium by various cell fractions of Chlorella regularis

To know what kinds of the cell components of Chlorella regularis are concerned with uranium binding, uptake of uranium by various cell fractions was examined. The uptake value (microgramU/mg starting dry cells) of the hot water-treated cells was almost the same as that of the starting dry Chlorella cells, showing that the cell components extracted with hot water were not so concerned with uranium binding. The cell components extracted with dilute alkali seemed to play an important role in uranium binding, and those extracted with chloroform-methanol seemed to be partly concerned with uranium binding. The cellulose fraction of the cells was scarcely concerned with uranium binding. In the dry cells, 34% of uranium taken up existed in the cell walls. However, in the living cells, 85% existed in the cell walls. The above results showed that the dry or the hot water-treated cells are the most convenient for uranium recovery from the aqueous systems.

Changes in efferent activities of the gastric vagus nerve by administration of glucose in the portal vein

Injection of glucose in the portal vein, as well as in the left carotid artery, brought a transient decrease in efferent discharges of the gastric vagus nerve, whereas venous injection of regular insulin brought a gradual increase in the discharges.

Production of elastic electrodes for nerve stimulation

For better evoking and monitoring electrical activities of visceral nerves, a elastic electrode made of conductive plastic and silicone gum is developed.

[A micro-method developed for prothrombin time assay (author's transl)]

Prothrombin time was measured by a newly developed micro-method using a plastic film available in the market (PARAFILM, American Can. Co.). The comparative study of this micro-method with that of Quick in rats disclosed a good correlation, with correlation coefficient of 0.951, supporting the usefulness of the method for examination of blood coagulability. The new method gave the physiological values of 9.8 sec in rabbits, 12.5 sec in dogs, 13.3 sec in mice, 14.8 sec in cats and 16.0 sec in rats, respectively. Among them, guinea pigs took the longest time of 25.3 sec for the coagulation.

Mode of action of 6-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxy-4-methyl-2(1H)-pyridone ethanolamine salt (Hoe 296)

Mode of action studies were made with Hoe 296, a new synthetic antimycotic, mainly in Candida albicans. The specific parameters examined included possible effects on (i) osmotic fragility, (ii) respiration, (iii) uptake and incorporation of radioactive leucine and adenine, and (iv) leakage or efflux of intracellular K+ and other materials. As a result, fungitoxic activity of Hoe 296 appears to be attributed to inhibition of uptake of precursors of macromolecular syntheses from the medium. Uptake and accumulation of leucine in the internal pool of starved cells was more susceptible to the drug than subsequent incorporation into proteins. Hoe 296 was also effective in altering the cell permeability, but greater drug concentrations were required to induce appreciable leakage of cellular constituents, such as 260 nm-absorbing materials, folin-positive substances and potassium ions, from the cells. Osmotic fragility or endogenous respiration was virtually insensitive to the drug. Partial inhibition by relatively high concentrations of Hoe 296 of the respiratory activity of yeast cells or mitochondria therefrom with exogenous substrates can be explained by decreased uptake of the substrates from the medium.